304 REPORT OF NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM. 



Chloridella empusa M. J. Rathbnn, Occas. Papers Boston Soc. N. Hist., VII, 



1905, p. 29. (Massachusetts to Connecticut.) 

 Fowler, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1913, p. 64. Wallops I., Va. 



Description. — Carapace narrowed anteriorly, dilated behind, 

 and well emarginated on hind edge. Upper surface of carapace 

 with median bifurcated ridge longitudinally, and two on each 

 lateral lobe, of which internal short and external ends abruptly 

 before reaching hind rounded end. Lateral ridges produced into 

 large anterior lateral spines and posterior lateral edges angled. 

 Fifth thoracic segment with separate ventral and lateral spines, 

 latter slightly curved forward and acute. Lateral processes on 

 next two segments strongly produced and acute or mucronate. 

 First five abdominal segments with eight distinct carinse. Telson 

 with crest and curved line of pits, six marginal spines and eight 

 basal carinse, and on each side three to four sub-median, six to 

 nine intermediate, and one lateral denticle. Sub-median spines 

 of telson with immovable tips. Carinse and elevations at bases of 

 denticles always distinct. Margin of telson or of abdomen never 

 thickened in males. Eyes large, triangular, with oblique corneal 

 axis equal to peduncular axis. Six teeth on dactylus of raptorial 

 claw, and outer edge of dactylus sinuate. Rostrum variable, 

 usually little longer than broad, sub-quadrate or hemiellipsoidal 

 and with lateral and median carinae. Color in life horny-brown, 

 and abdominal segments blotched irregularly with dusky. Caudal 

 plates yellowish, edged with blackish. Eyes green. Length 

 18 cm. 



Remarks. — The squill ranges along the coast of North Amer- 

 ica from Massachusetts to Florida, and is sometimes met with 

 in large numbers. It is valued as food in some places, and in 

 others as bait, by the fishermen. It ranges from the beach down 

 to twelve fathoms, and burrows in mud near low water, when it 

 is often dragged ashore in hauling seines. 



Verrill says it is often thrown on the beaches by the waves, 

 and probably usually burrows in the mud below low-water mark, 

 but in certain localities it has been found burrowing at or near 

 low-water mark of spring-tides, forming large irregular holes. 



